Day 21 - February 23, 2023
Alex Murdaugh admitted lying about his presence at the kennels, denied the killings, and faced cross-examination about badges, client thefts, and deception after Nolen Tuten testified about firearms and the kennel video.
Full day summary
10:56:422. Nolen Tuten — Direct/Cross/Redirect
Before the jury entered, the court maintained its financial-evidence rulings, advised Alex Murdaugh of his right to testify or remain silent, and heard him confirm that he would testify. The defense then presented Nolen Tuten’s testimony about Paul Murdaugh, firearms and routines at Moselle, June 7 communications, the kennel video voices, and his observations after the deaths.
Highlights
Testimony-Scope Argument and Right-to-Testify ColloquyrulingThe court declined to change its prior admissibility ruling or create a special exception for Murdaugh, while preserving objections to particular questions for rulings as they arose.Testimony-Scope Argument and Right-to-Testify Colloquy“And the Court will not change course during the trial and provide any special exception to Mr. Murdaugh with regard to testimony regarding the matters that the Court has already determined to be admissible.”— Clifton NewmanThe court expressly maintained its prior ruling on the financial-crimes and other-acts evidence.Testimony-Scope Argument and Right-to-Testify Colloquyprocedural actionAfter the court advised Murdaugh that he could testify or remain silent and would face examination on relevant issues if he testified, Murdaugh said he understood, needed no further consultation, and chose to testify.Nolen Tuten - Crosstestimony highlightTuten described the disappearance of Paul's tan .300 Blackout rifle, said he believed it was stolen, and testified that Paul subsequently used Buster's black rifle as his own.Nolen Tuten - Crossevidence eventAfter listening to the kennel video, Tuten identified the voices as Paul, Maggie, and Alex Murdaugh; he also described the kennel and hangar area as brightly lit and visible from the house at night.
3. Alex Murdaugh — Direct/Cross
Alex Murdaugh finished direct examination by denying the killings while admitting he had lied about being at the kennels, after which the State began cross-examination on that admission, his law-enforcement connections, and his theft of client funds.
Highlights
Alex Murdaugh - DirectadmissionMurdaugh denied shooting Maggie or Paul, acknowledged that his voice was on the kennel video, admitted being at the kennels at 8:44 p.m., and admitted repeatedly lying to investigators about that fact.Alex Murdaugh - Direct“And I lied about being down there, and I'm so sorry that I did.”— Alex MurdaughMurdaugh directly acknowledged concealing his presence at the kennels shortly before the killings.Alex Murdaugh - Directemotional momentMurdaugh described finding Maggie and Paul, calling 911, moving between their bodies, trying to turn Paul by a belt loop, replacing Paul's displaced phone, and later retrieving a shotgun from the house.Alex Murdaugh - DirectadmissionMurdaugh acknowledged taking the Faris fee and stealing client funds, denied believing his financial situation was about to collapse on June 7, and attributed his financial misconduct in part to a longstanding opioid addiction.Alex Murdaugh - Direct“No, I did not kill Maggie. I did not kill Paul. I would never hurt Maggie, and I would never hurt Paul, ever, under any circumstances.”— Alex MurdaughThe direct examination concluded with Murdaugh's categorical denial of the killings.Alex Murdaugh - Crossevidence eventAfter the court admitted two prosecutorial badges, Murdaugh acknowledged displaying a badge so officers could see it and agreed that he sometimes used it to seek better treatment.Alex Murdaugh - CrossadmissionQuestioned through client settlement records, Murdaugh admitted stealing from Natasha Thomas, Arthur Badger, Hakeem Pinckney, and others while disputing or failing to remember numerous transactional details.Alex Murdaugh - Cross“I'm required to talk about it as much as you want to talk about it. But the fact is, is I cannot specifically remember sitting down. The details that you're asking me for, I can't tell you, but what I can tell you is that in all these financial situations, I stole money that was not my money. I misled people that I shouldn't have misled, and I did wrong. I can tell you that, and I may be able to tell you specifically in some instances what I did or didn't do.”— Alex MurdaughThe answer captured both Murdaugh's broad admission of theft and deception and his repeated inability to supply transaction-specific memories.Alex Murdaugh - CrossrulingThe court declined to interrupt the State's cross-examination for two defense experts, explaining that credibility was an issue for every witness, and ordered the cross to resume the next morning.